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yoonzeeno · 3 years ago

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of fire stones and icy waves. ━━ kmg x hvc

part one of the svt x pokémon!au — kanto.

❀ summary: broke pokémon trainer kim mingyu decides to go on an adventure to look for a fire stone. vernon unwillingly accompanies him. ❀ pairing: mingyu x vernon (brotp) ❀ word count: 4.7k ❀ genre(s): adventure, friendship, slice of life, slight action ❀ warning(s): none, i guess? lmk if there are any!

━━ a/n: my first fic is finally done! i planned this to be around 1-2k words but it's pokémon and seventeen - two of my favourite things together, so i couldn't help myself. anyways, lmk what you think and i hope you enjoy it! i finished this at five thirty in the morning so pls pls pls love it :(

━━ update: updated the poster bcs this one sucks less than the previous one.

the sun was shining bright and the weather was perfect, but sadly mingyu had to ignore the euphoric feeling of his feet sinking on the sand and rush towards the ocean. behind him was vernon, also running, but with untied shoes.

“i’m gonna kill you, hyung!” vernon cried.

“you can kill me once i get that fire stone!” this made absolutely no sense to vernon, but he didn’t have any energy left when it’s being used to run for his life.

once they reached the shore, mingyu motioned at vernon, hands moving frantically. “quick! quick!” vernon fumbled at his belt, looking for the right poké ball, before finally taking his dive ball — a blue ball with white waves etched on the upper half of the ball.

“lapras, go!” he shouted, aiming the ball towards the ocean as he ran before pressing the button twice — once to enlarge the ball, and once more for lapras to come out. an energy filled silhouette emerged from the half-opened ball, and a blue dinosaur-like pokémon finally solidified. her front side was mostly cream colored, and her ears were tightly curled. she also had a short horn on her forehead, four flippers with the foremost flippers bigger than the hind, and on her back was a heavy, gray shell, covered in blunt knobs. she floated in the ocean, letting out a beautiful cry.

mingyu braked in front of lapras in fear he would actually hurt the pokémon. his sudden brake caused vernon to crash into his back, which also resulted in mingyu falling face first into the sand. lapras watched them, letting out a cry in confusion.

vernon rose while groaning at the pain on his nose, while mingyu pressed his palms on the ground to lift himself up, spitting out sand from his mouth in the process. as soon as vernon was able to stand up, he hurried to his lapras, rubbing his neck to soothe him down. lapras closed her eyes and hummed. lapras was well-known for having a beautiful voice.

“vernon, we got no time!” mingyu said as he ran to hop onto lapras’ back, but vernon stopped him.

“don’t ride her before she says its okay! she’s going to throw you off her back!” mingyu clucked impatiently, feet tapping on the ground.. when lapras started nodding, vernon stepped onto her shell, before hauling himself upwards. as he finally settled down, he reached out to help mingyu on, and with vernon’s help, the older kid hauled himself upwards, settling himself behind vernon, vernon’s small backpack separating them. mingyu leaned on his backpack, gasping for air as vernon pat lapras’s neck twice. lapras let out another cry before she finally started surfing the sea.

“so, are you going to tell me why you banged on my door at seven in the morning?” vernon asked once the two of them calmed down after the morning run. lapras was surfing quite speedily, the wind hitting them felt refreshing on their necks. vernon’s lapras was smart — having braved the ocean before letting herself be caught by vernon. she had memorized the seas of kanto by heart, so it only took vernon to tell her the destination for her to surf towards the island.

mingyu sighed, patting his poké ball for reassurance. “i have to get a fire stone.” vernon raised an eyebrow at him.

“and… you have to wake me up at seven in the morning for that?” he asked. mingyu thanked god vernon was a pacifist. he knew if that was any other person, he would be in big trouble already.

“well, tomorrow’s the tide. and i have to get it before the tide starts or it’s gonna take a lot of time and i don’t know if the fire stone will still be there or not after the tide.”

“and you couldn’t have just rode the seagallop?” vernon asked, referring to the ferry. mingyu smiled sadly.

“well, if i had any money i would’ve ridden it instead of waking you up at seven in the morning.”

“then you could’ve just bought one at celadon’s department store?” vernon said in exasperation. “i wouldn’t mind accompanying you to celadon city by foot!”

“again,” mingyu mumbled, “no money.” vernon softened at the older boy’s words. money was hard, especially since mingyu’s ace, growlithe, can’t evolve without a fire stone. growlithe was mingyu’s pokémon since he was born, and vernon knew that there was no way mingyu would trade growlithe for anything else in the world.

but, since growlithe was unevolved, it means there are some limits to his powers. his stats wouldn’t be high enough to beat fully evolved pokémon, and even though growlithe himself was considered fast even as a growlithe, evolving into an arcanine would definitely make growlithe even faster.

“look, i’m sorry i had to drag you into this,” mingyu said, the wind sweeping up his hair. “i’ll make it up to you once we get back to vermilion, i promise.”

“it’s okay,” vernon said, quick to understand the older boy’s position. he was lucky lapras was already a fully evolved pokémon — no evolutions, to be exact — so if he won matches, especially gym matches, money came easily to him. and it was also the reason why vernon already finished kanto’s gym challenge, and mingyu hadn't even started his. “i needed to get out and go adventuring again.”

it took about three hours for them to ride from vermilion city to one island, where mt. ember was located. mingyu insisted that the fire stone was located at mt. ember. no trainer appeared during their ride (probably smart enough and rich enough to ride the seagallop, mingyu thought), but groups of seel and dewgong swam along them, and mingyu leaned back, his long arm reaching down to skim the surface of the water. sometimes, groups of staryu and horsea would appear, and mingyu would play with them, jokingly splashing water at them (mingyu didn’t know how he forgot about the fact that they were water type pokémon, but he did, and in return, got splashed by their water guns). the groups of seel and dewgong would also appear from underwater, waving their fins at him before swimming somewhere else. mingyu figured they probably saw the ferry often, but the ferry couldn’t stop to play with them.

it was about two and a half hours into the ride when the island finally came into view. vernon was currently knocked out, leaning his head on lapras’ neck with his hands around it. mingyu felt bad for the boy, for he did wake him up without any messages, so he decided to let him sleep some more. his hand reached out for the only poké ball he had with him, fumbling with it nervously.

to be honest, he had promised growlithe that he will evolve in two days, and growlithe had believed him, barking happily. mingyu knew that growlithe loved to battle and wished to battle stronger opponents, but mingyu also knew that if he didn't evolve he would have a hard time, and mingyu couldn’t beat seeing growlithe suffer. growlithe was, in a way, mingyu’s baby.

when mingyu could spot the pokémon center ahead, he tapped vernon’s shoulder, signalling him to wake up. vernon groaned as he opened his eyes, releasing his hold on lapras. he stretched to release the stress from his arms.

“we’re finally here,” he stated as lapras gracefully glided ashore. mingyu stepped off first, his feet hitting the soft sand, the sea water slightly splashing. mingyu held his hand out to help vernon off lapras, and vernon took it gratefully, before hopping down with a grunt. vernon turned to pat lapras’s neck, and lapras let out a happy cry before lowering her head, asking for a pet on the head. vernon laughed before obliging, and lapras hummed in satisfaction. vernon took out her poké ball, pressing the button to lapras’ neck. lapras then turned into a white silhouette, before completely disappearing into the poké ball.

“thanks. you did great.” vernon hummed, before turning around to face mingyu.

“i’m gonna have to go to the pokémon center first to rest lapras. is it okay?” mingyu nodded. after all, they had reached the island thanks to lapras. mingyu guessed it would be fine if they spared a few minutes for lapras to recover.

the two of them started heading towards the red roofed building otherwise known as the pokémon center. one island was a small island — so there were literally almost to no buildings besides the pokémon center and probably five houses. mingyu heard that bill, the guy famous for creating the pokémon box, lives here. he would want to meet bill if he had no deadlines, but sadly he had to fulfill his promise to growlithe.

the trip to the pokémon center only took them five minutes. vernon wanted to stop to eat, but mingyu stopped him, telling him they can eat during the way (for it was already eleven in the morning and mingyu didn’t want to waste any more time).

“according to the map, it says we should head for kindle road. it’s east from here.” mingyu said, staring at his map. vernon headed where east was, before stopping on his tracks.

“hyung,” he called. mingyu looked up from his map before it dawned on him.

“we’re have to surf again.”

this time, however, it only took them around fifteen minutes to surf from one island to kindle road. mingyu, feeling guilty for interrupting lapras’s rest, had fed her five oran berries as soon as they arrived on kindle road. lapras, delighted to see the berry, had eaten it speedily, almost chewing off mingyu’s hand in the process. as lapras was a gentle pokémon, she felt terrible, and rubbed her head on mingyu’s as a way to ask for forgiveness.

mingyu chuckled. “it’s okay buddy. you’re forgiven.” lapras cried in delight before vernon finally returned her to her ball.

mingyu turned to look at the scenery in front of him. he could see a lot of greens ahead — wild grass, where wild pokémon can be found and caught — and tall cliffs surrounding them. he could already see herds of ponyta and rapidash even from far away. flocks of spearow and fearow were flying above their heads. mingyu reached for his poké ball, pressing the button twice before a puppy-like pokémon emerged, barking happily as he finally solidified. mingyu grinned and opened his arms towards it, and the big orange ball of fluff leaped into mingyu’s arms.

“we’re finally here, growlithe! in a few hours you can evolve!” growlithe barked once more, wagging his tail in happiness.

in a glance, growlithe looked more like a tiger than a dog. growlithe’s fur was orange with black stripes, and the fur on its muzzle, chest, belly, and tail was beige, an additional tuft of fur on top of its head.

vernon smiled at the sight in front of him. he too, wanted the elder boy to start his gym challenge soon. that way, they can finally fulfill the promise they made when they were kids — battle each other with fully evolved teams. now mingyu was so close to his first step, and vernon wanted to help however he could (even if it meant being woken up at seven in the morning).

another small promise they made was to trade pokémon that can only evolve by trading. vernon already caught kadabra, and

mingyu put growlithe down, and the pokémon stood by mingyu’s side, wagging its tail furiously. growlithe is a loyal pokémon, and wouldn’t run until given orders otherwise. vernon could tell it was itching to run ahead, but since mingyu hadn’t said anything, he wouldn’t run until mingyu says it’s okay to do so.

“let’s go!” mingyu said, running for the greens ahead. growlithe barked happily, following his owner. vernon laughed at the sight, before running ahead after them.

“wait for me!”

the three of them slowed down once they reached the wild grass, afraid to startle any wild pokémon. the herds of ponyta and rapidash had been friendly, letting growlithe play with them once in a while. vernon sent out his own rapidash, who got along very well with the other rapidash.

after walking for half an hour, they settled down under a tree for lunch. mingyu had packed sandwiches and kimbaps — apparently, mingyu had packed a lot of spares for vernon and his pokémon too.

“i make a lot and i usually just give the leftovers to any wild pokémon in sight.” mingyu had told vernon when the latter accused mingyu of planning to take him all along.

vernon sent out all his pokémon except for lapras, which included the currently grazing rapidash, kadabra, scyther, snorlax and wigglytuff. snorlax, taking up most of the space, was still sleeping, as if he’s still inside his poké ball. scyther pokéd her scythes on snorlax’s stomach lightly, whilst wigglytuff went towards mingyu to help him, which mingyu accepted gratefully. meanwhile, kadabra headed towards growlithe in curiosity, and used his psychic to lift the puppy pokémon up. growlithe yelped in surprise before howling.

“kadabra, we do not randomly lift people up with psychic. now put growlithe down, please.” kadabra looked at vernon with a sad face, but vernon’s firm face made him lower growlithe down. as soon as growlithe's paws reached the ground, he ran for mingyu, wailing.

“it’s okay, baby,” mingyu cooed, petting his head. “he’s just playing with you. why don’t you play with bulbs too?” mingyu reached for the only other poké ball he has and released his bulbasaur out. growlithe barked in happiness as he leaped for bulbasaur, whose quick reflexes helped her catch growlithe with her vine whips.

mingyu had prepared a feast, to say the least. he had prepared lots of sandwiches (spicy ones for fire types growlithe and rapidash). they spent an hour for lunch (with snorlax eating almost half of mingyu’s sandwiches), and another thirty minutes to clean up. vernon sent back all his pokémon into their respective poké balls, letting rapidash say goodbye to her newly made friends.

bulbasaur had helped mingyu clean up the place before mingyu called her back to her ball. mingyu had offered growlithe to return to his ball to rest, but growlithe was too energetic to rest.

“how long is it going to take us to get to mt. ember?” vernon asked as he zipped his backpack close. mingyu looked at his map, and then at his watch.

“around two to three hours?” he said as he rolled his map before putting it on the side of his backpack. “it’s currently one pm, so if we hurry we can arrive there by three pm, and then go out by five pm. hopefully we can reach one island back around seven or eight pm, then head back to vermilion city.” vernon did not need to go through mingyu’s itinerary to feel exhausted. even only listening to the plan seemed exhausting — how were they going to finish that in less than twelve hours?

mingyu, however, wasted no time. as if the sandwich he ate earlier restored all of his energy, he ran towards north, growlithe catching up to him in no time. vernon realized that if he doesn’t run now, he probably would not be able to catch up with mingyu.

mingyu wanted to go to the ember spa so bad, considering his muscles were starting to cramp from running all day. but they were behind schedule, and mingyu’s perfectionist ass didn’t dare to waste another second.

they ran into trouble once when growlithe bumped into an angry graveler. growlithe’s fire typing was definitely a loss to them, but thanks to mingyu’s quick thinking by sending out bulbasaur, they managed to weaken the graveler to let them pass through. if bulbasaur had been a higher level, mingyu would’ve definitely caught that graveler — and trade it with vernon. but mingyu didn’t want to let any of his other pokémon evolve before growlithe — if his puppy was going to be loyal to him, then he’s going to be loyal to his puppy too, no matter what it takes.

once they passed the ember spa, they came to a slope leading towards a beach. when the horizon came into view, mingyu sighed in relief — if they can already see the ocean, that means they’re already halfway there. one more hour to go and they can finally begin the search for the fire stone.

growlithe started barking happily at the sight of the ocean, running even faster than before towards the icy water. mingyu shouted for growlithe in fear — he’s a fire type, for arceus’s sake! before anything bad could happen, mingyu spurted forward, using all the energy he has left to stop growlithe from diving into the ocean.

thanks to his long legs, mingyu reached growlithe right as growlithe’s paws touched the icy water. growlithe yelped in surprise when mingyu picked him up before losing his balance. mingyu’s body fell to the sand below, gasping for air. his legs had given out — he had ran as if his life depended on it. and in a way, his life did.

growlithe whined at the sight of mingyu panting for air, his head lightly bumping mingyu’s, as if asking if he’s okay. not soon after, vernon arrived next to mingyu. kneeling next to the boy as he handed the boy a bottle of lemonade. mingyu took it gratefully before sitting up, gulping almost half of the bottle in one shot.

“growlithe,” mingyu called, still wheezing for air. growlithe climbed into his lap, no longer as energetic as earlier. he probably understood that he did something bad this time, vernon thought.

“you’re a fire type,” mingyu said gently. “you remember what happened when you first battled lapras, right?” growlithe’s ears were down, and he let out a small whine.

“yes, you lost because of lapras’s water pulse. and the ocean,” mingyu gestured to the beautiful view in front of them, “is made of water. if you dive in there, arceus knows what would’ve happened.” growlithe was quiet, but looked at mingyu as if asking for forgiveness. mingyu ruffled growlithe’s fur, and growlithe looked a little bit better.

“maybe it’s time for you to return to your ball,” mingyu said, reaching for growlithe’s poké ball. “i’ll let you out again once we cross the sea, alright, buddy?” growlithe barked in agreement, and mingyu gently tapped the poké ball to growlithe’s body, who transformed into a white silhouette before completely disappearing into the poké ball. vernon patted mingyu’s shoulders.

“that was a close call,” vernon said, stepping towards the sea. “you go take a breather. i’ll get lapras out from her ball and ready her for our journey.”

as soon as mingyu was able to stand, he wasted no time to continue on the journey. the sun was shining bright on them — it was two in the afternoon, after all. the surf across wasn’t as fun as earlier, though — instead of friendly groups of seel and dewgong, the ocean was filled with groups of tentacool and tentacruel, and mingyu definitely did not want to touch any of the water.

lapras, however, was swimming faster than before — probably because the sun gives her energy. vernon occasionally patted her on the head, and she would cry in delight.

after an hour, they finally arrived in front of the entrance of mt. ember. mingyu heard vernon thank lapras before returning her to her ball. he took a deep breath.

this was it. they finally reached mt. ember after all the journey.

as promised, mingyu let growlithe out of his ball. growlithe barked happily, almost as if the incident earlier never happened. but then again, they were so close to getting the fire stone for him.

but growlithe — being a fire type — barked because he smelt something familiar. growlithe started for the cave, and mingyu and vernon followed behind him.

“he must’ve smelt the fire stone,” vernon stated. mingyu tilted his head.

“growlithe’s a fire type, and you know they have a very keen sense of smell,” he explained. “he’s been looking for the fire stone for all his life, and he’s a growlithe, so he must recognize the smell.”

true to vernon’s words, growlithe had sniffed the tracks, navigating their way towards the rocky mountain. sometimes mingyu and vernon would come across a machop or a geodude, but growlithe was so focused into searching for the fire stone that he moved so quickly, even the machop and geodude couldn’t catch up to him.

vernon was starting to lose energy half an hour into the hike — it was a mountain, after all, and the fire stone wasn’t located on the base of the mountain, sadly. he wanted to ask for a fice minute break, but he knew mingyu wouldn’t want to waste any more time, and he also knew growlithe wouldn’t stop for him. they’ve been waiting for this for almost ten years now, and vernon wouldn’t want to ruin the fun for them. he slowed his pace, still quick enough to not lose them, but enough for him to slowly regain his energy.

after what seemed like forever, growlithe finally stopped his tracks. vernon was leaning on a boulder, no longer capable of climbing anymore. but to his luck, they were already on the summit — now looking for the stone is all they need to do.

“hey, vernon,” mingyu called. “you just sit and rest. growlithe and i will look for the stone.” vernon did not oppose. he let his body fall to the ground, panting for air as he felt his legs cramping. he probably should’ve just called for kadabra to teleport him up to the summit — now, why didn’t he think of that? better yet, all of them could just teleport home after this!

he felt incredibly stupid for only realizing this now, but then again, mingyu also did not realize, so that makes the two of them.

on the other hand, mingyu and growlithe were actively searching — there were a lot of boulders and rocks. an hour passed and mingyu was sure they’ve been looking at every nook and cranny, but there were no signs of the fire stone anywhere.

that is, until growlithe kept barking into a certain boulder.

“what is it?” mingyu approached, but growlithe only continued barking. his front paws started scratching the boulder, so mingyu stepped forward to remove the boulder from the way. it was heavy — there was no way mingyu could do this on his own, but he didn’t want to trouble vernon anymore.

suddenly, growlithe let out a cry before pushing his whole body onto the boulder. the boulder moved, and mingyu realized right there and then that growlithe was using strength.

“good job, growlithe!” mingyu said, pushing together with growlithe. growlithe let out a little growl as the boulder finally moved out of their way, and in front of them was a small rock. growlithe pounced on it once for the rock to crack. mingyu took the rock and slammed it on the ground, and the rock finally cracked, revealing an ember colored stone. growlithe pounced on mingyu happily as mingyu fell on his back, hugging growlithe.

“we did it, growlithe! we found the fire stone!” growlithe was licking mingyu’s face and mingyu didn’t mind one bit. mingyu was laughing — a few hours ago he didn’t feel like he would succeed on his quest, but he did and he was so happy.

his happiness was cut short when vernon ran towards them, panting.

“hyung! i’ve been calling you, didn’t you hear me?”

“vernon, we found the fire stone!” mingyu grinned at him as he sat up. vernon looked frantic — what’s happening?

“that’s great, but i think we have a big problem!” mingyu opened his mouth to ask what the other boy meant when a cry of a bird broke the silence. above their heads, a red silhouette flew over them, and it felt like they were near a volcano. mingyu gulped. bird, red, hot. this could only mean one thing.

moltres landed on a boulder fifty metres ahead of them. mingyu and vernon were gaping in awe — they’ve heard legends of the legendary birds, but didn’t think they would ever come in contact with any of them! (when he got home, it occurred to mingyu that according to the legends, moltres resided on the summit of the mt. ember — mingyu didn’t know how he forgot about that small fact).

moltres was gold — it had a long, flowing head crest and a billowing tail, both made of reddish-orange and yellow flames. additionally, its wings were also shrouded in fiery plumage. it was eyeing them carefully, and none of them dared to move a muscle.

“should we make a run for it?” vernon asked. mingyu longed to take the fire stone, but he was scared moltres would attack him if he moved his hand.

“vernon,” mingyu said. vernon hummed in response, not daring to turn his head.

“this might be our only chance to ever battle moltres.”

“hyung, you only have growlithe and bulbasaur. we’re never gonna win.”

“it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” mingyu said. “besides, i need you to cause a distraction for me.”

before vernon could take his ball out, growlithe barked in anxiousness, and all hell broke loose.

from his beak, moltres fired a flamethrower towards growlithe and mingyu. growlithe yelped and jumped off of mingyu, and mingyu’s quick instincts screamed at him to roll to the right, which he did. the pebbles and rocks on the ground caused him to groan in pain.

“lapras, go!” vernon threw his dive ball out, and lapras emerged, crying out her battle cry.

“lapras, hydro pump!” lapras shrieked before shooting out a powerful hydro pump — but moltres dodged it easily, for it has wings.

while moltres was distracted, mingyu jumped for the fire stone — moltres might be beautiful and all, but mingyu will never forgive it if his quest fails, especially not because he’s a legendary pokémon.

moltres shot a fire blast at vernon and lapras, but growlithe leaped in front of the fire blast, getting slammed by the fire blast into the ground in the process. he yelped, and mingyu didn’t realize he had shouted for growlithe’s name in despair. he needed to get the fire stone to growlithe somehow!

“hyung!” vernon cried. “i’ll cover, so you go evolve growlithe!” lapras let out another cry before using avalanche against moltres — moltres’s flying-typing neutralizing the damage, instead of it being not very effective.

mingyu wanted to run for growlithe, but he knew if he did, moltres would turn him into a roasted mingyu, and mingyu didn’t want that. he saw growlithe grunt in pain, but managed to stand up, his feet stumbling. so mingyu did the only thing he could think of.

“growlithe, catch!” mingyu threw the fire stone towards growlithe, and moltres was too distracted by lapras to notice. growlithe jumped in the air and caught the fire stone in his fangs, and he shined.

everyone was too distracted by growlithe’s evolution to continue the battle — even moltres. growlithe’s body grew — his body and feet grew longer, the taft of fur on his head grew towards the back of his head, and his tail got visibly longer and bigger. when the blue light vanished, growlithe was no longer there — arcanine roared handsomely, eyes ready to battle.

mingyu choked back a sob. after ten years, his growlithe was finally an arcanine.

he didn’t have much time to rejoice, though, because once the evolution process was done, moltres decided it was a good time to attack them with another fire blast (in a way, it was though). vernon shouted at lapras to dodge, but mingyu knew lapras wouldn’t have made it. arcanine, however, with his newfound speed, managed to push back the fire blast with flamethrower — a stronger version now that he was fully evolved. he ran towards mingyu’s side in no time, his eyes staring at mingyu, full of trust.

“vernon,” mingyu called.

“yeah?”

“if we die fighting moltres, i have no regrets.”

“you won’t, because the minute we start to become the losing side i will have kadabra teleport us back home.” mingyu laughed, too happy too contain his joy.

“well, i wanna fight first. how about you?” vernon smirked at the elder boy.

“i finished the gym challenge — i never run away from challenges.” mingyu smirked as both him and vernon switched into battle stance.

“lapras/arcanine,” they said in unison, “i choose you!”

32 notes · View notes

mixelation · 3 years ago

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OH NO I forgot my BOY!!! I can't believe it I've failed him. Please do the actual purest cinnamon roll in Naruto, Rock Lee.

Send me the name of a character and I will tell you my ______:

1: sexuality headcanon - i was going to make a joke about lee getting an A- on his cinnamon roll status for points knocked off due to his treatment of sakura, BUT ACTUALLY after her initial rejection i think he's mostly pretty respectful of her? like he does go out of his way to help her because of his crush, but he doesn't use that to be like "you OWE me" (although fandom sometimes does) and we don't see him continue to ask her out like naruto does. in the rock lee & friends anime and maybe some filler we see him.... be weird about her a few times, but i actually don't remember him doing this in any of the actual ""canon""?

anyway, while lee isn't creepy TO sakura, we do see him treat her more as a goal/prize-to-be-won for his hard work in his brain. i'm not sure his crush would continue if sakura actually reciprocated? which, to me, puts lee as a contender for being on the aroace spectrum-- his "crush" isn't about actually getting a romantic partner at all.

2: otp - hmm i don't really have one. oh no wait gaara/lee is cute

3: brotp - sakura and lee in matching "suns out guns out" shirts

4: notp - none

5: first headcanon that pops into my head - lee does, in fact, shape his brows

6: one way in which I relate to this character - sometimes in order to get gud you just have. fuck up over and over and over fdhsjkl

7: thing that gives me second hand embarrassment about this character - do not. he is a sweet cinnamon roll.

8: cinnamon roll or problematic fave? A FLUFFY CINNAMON ROLL

#ask meme answer

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scimitar-and-longsword · 4 years ago

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Two requests if it's okay 1) a gif of the neck grab of pride Andy gives Nile after she jumps out the window. 2)Fic about Nile's first birthday as an immortal Thanks so much!!

Sorry this took so long lol. I really liked the prompt and I just wanted to get it right! We all know my brotp is Booker & Joe... Nicky & Nile are a close second....

—————–

There was a sliver of dull sunlight shining right across Nile’s forehead as she came to consciousness on the morning of her twenty-sixth birthday. Or at least it should have been her twenty-sixth birthday. She wasn’t quite sure on the details.

Did she even still count her birthday the same now? Was she twenty-six? Or perhaps only one? No- No. That sounded ridiculous. So maybe just the first anniversary of her twenty-fifth birthday?

Nile opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling. It was a rather unremarkable ceiling, painted a faded a pale green. It was discolored brown from water damage in a few spots.

She had been to this safe house once before. Two months ago after a particularly rough mission the five of them had limped in, blood soaked and exhausted. Luckily this time they had only been exhausted.

This was the first time she had been to a safe house twice. It was strange how much it felt like home after only having been there once for a week. But after seven months of new place after new place she felt a welcome familiarity with this crumbling cottage, small though it was.

She had known what bed was to be hers. No dragging of an old mattress from another room. No reshuffling of sleeping arrangements to accommodate for her. No Andy or Booker taking a couch or armchair. No Joe and Nicky sleeping on the floor because they both couldn’t fit on the couch.

Booker made a low pained noise in his sleep. And Nile’s thoughts were brought back to the present.

Booker was in a bed perpendicular to hers, their head’s only a couple feet apart.

She glanced up at him, he appeared to still be asleep, his arm slung over his eyes.

Nile craned her neck to see Andy still asleep in the bed next to the door. Her immortality was gone but she still insisted on sleeping closest to the door. The first line of defense.

Joe and Nicky were directly across from her, huddled facing her in a bed that seemed too small for the two of them.

How old were each of them again? 953, and 950. Booker was 247...or was it 248?, And she couldn’t even guess at Andy’s age.

Would that happen to her? Her years becoming so numerous that she couldn’t remember the year she was born?

The sun had moved enough to shine irritatingly in her eyes, Nile brought her hand up to shield them. But after a minute or so, when her arm grew tired, she flipped onto her stomach. Her frustration got the better of her and she sighed loudly.

Too loudly, apparently, as Nicky started awake and sat bolt upright in the bed across from hers. Joe too started, and sleepily said something to Nicky in Italian that Nile couldn’t quite make out. Nicky glanced around the room and made eye contact with Nile.

“Sorry.” Nile whispered.

Nicky gave her a sleepy smile and turned over to face Joe, responding to him in Italian as well, but this time she heard her name and the word for sleep.

Andy and Booker hadn’t even moved. Both of their breathing was as even as Joe’s was slowly becoming once more.

Nicky was obviously awake still, propped up on his elbow facing Joe. His other hand stroked Joe’s hip soothingly.

A minute or so passed where Nile turned the problem of her birthday over in her mind, before she gave up trying to fall back asleep. She got out of bed with a frustrated sigh, and exited the bedroom.

The rest of the cottage consisted of a bathroom and a small main room full of mismatched furniture and with what one might consider a kitchenette.

Nile plugged in and turned on a hotplate and filled a kettle with water. She opened the pantry and was surprised to find a half used package of instant coffee. It took her a moment to realize that it was hers, left here from the previous stay in October.

She couldn’t help but smile to herself. Silly as it sounded, it was nice to find something she knew she had left behind for herself.

She glanced around the room, the little touches of each member of her new family were evident. Various swords hung on the wall above the small dining table. She was sure they were all sharp and battle ready. There was a single bookshelf that was full to bursting, with piles of books on the ground all around it.

Despite the cottage’s pathetic excuse for a kitchen there were nice pots and pans and a stand alone pantry pushed against the wall next to the small counter that currently held the slowly heating up hot plate. That would have been Ncky’s doing, Nile thought with a smile.

The water finally came to a boil and Nile made herself a cup of coffee. She looked out the window at the Welsh countryside and took a long slow sip of her coffee.

She started when she heard the door to the bedroom quietly click open behind her.

She wheeled around to see Nicky stepping into the main room, and closing the door behind him once more with another soft click.

“Good morning.” Nicky said quietly. He crossed the small room and took out a mug to poor himself some of the hot water.

“Sorry I woke you.” Nile said.

She opened the pantry and fished out a tin of tea. But when Nile turned to offer it to Nicky, he was already stirring in some of the instant coffee mix.

“It’s fine,” He said with a smile. And when he saw Nile’s look of surprise, “Sorry, do you mind if I have some of your coffee?”

“You never drink coffee.” Nile said, not really answering his question.

“I think you’ll find words like ‘never’ rather useless when talking to a 900 year old man.”

“I just mean- I’ve never seen you drink coffee. You have a cup of tea. Every morning. For seven months”

“We go through phases,” Nicky said, taking a small sip of his coffee, “Joe was particularly fond of coffee for most of the 1600’s.”

“An entire century is a particularly long phase.”

Nicky chuckled.

A comfortable silence fell over them for a while after that. Nicky sat at the small dining table and opened a book he had left there the night before. Nile stared out the window watching the morning fog burn off as the sun rose higher.

She thought about how much had happened in the two months since the previous time they had been to this safe house. None of them had died, thank god. But Nile had been shot twice in the leg, and Joe had taken the butt of a gun to the back of the head, knocking him out just two days ago.

Booker had had his throat cut so deep that Nile thought he was about to fade out as she held the wound together. Luckily he had pulled through, his healing repairing the damage as if nothing had happened.

Try as she might to distract herself though, her thoughts returned to her birthday. Surely it wasn’t something that should bring her this much anguish. She was not the type of person to care about getting older, let alone now when nothing would change.

But she had seen the way immortality weighed heavily on Andy and Booker. She had even glimpsed it’s sting in Joe and Nicky’s eyes, though they were better at hiding it. At least from her.

“Did you dream of Quynh?” Nicky asked after nearly a half hour had passed.

“What?” Nile said, genuinely confused, “Oh- no. I had just been thinking and forgot I was in a room full of jumpy, trigger happy warriors. I sighed too loudly.”

“Was that what woke me?” Nicky smiled, “Perhaps I am a bit jumpy.”

Nicky returned his eyes to his book, but it really didn’t look like he was reading. In fact Nile was pretty sure she hadn’t heard him turn a single page in his book this whole time.

“It’s my birthday.” Nile said before she could overthink it.

“I know.” Nicky said simply, taking another sip of coffee, and lifting his eyes to meet hers.

“You-” Nile shook her head, a confused smile spreading over her face, “You know?”

“December 10th, 1994.” Nicky said as if that was an explanation.

Nile took a seat at the table with him.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Nile asked, and then hastily added, “I mean- I just feel kind silly for trying to hide it now.”

“I wasn’t sure that you wanted to celebrate.” Nicky said.

“It does feel strange.” Nile said.

“It always does.” Nicky said, he took a deep breath before continuing, “I’m afraid that won’t change.”

“Do you celebrate?” Nile asked, “I’ve been with you all for the better part of a year and I don’t think any of you have mentioned birthdays. Do you even remember yours?”

“October 22nd,” Nicky said, “On the Gregorian calendar at least.”

“So you remember, you just don’t celebrate.”

“Sometimes we do. Big numbers, milestones.” Nicky said, “Booker’s 249th birthday was two days ago. Next year we’ll probably do something. But generally no, we don’t celebrate as a group.”

“As a group.” Nile turned the word choice over in her head, “So that’s Nicky and Joe speak for you guys celebrate each other's birthdays without Booker and Andy.” -or me.

Nicky laughed, nodded, and took another drink of coffee.

“Wait- October 22nd? The last time we were here was on your birthday.”

“That’s true. This is one of my favorite safe houses, I imagine Andy picked it for that reason.”

“I missed your birthday. And I could have done something- gotten you a present or made you a cake.”

“I don’t need anything from you Nile.” Nicky said.

“I know you don’t need anything. But if you want to celebrate with someone I could have made an effort-”

“Do you want to celebrate today Nile?” Nicky cut her off.

Nile blinked at him for a moment. Did she?

“I’m not sure. With Andy and Booker the way that they are- it feels selfish.”

“Forget about them. Do you want to celebrate?”

“I think so?” Nile took a deep breath and tried to order her thoughts, “This will be one of the last birthday’s that my age reflects how I look. One of the last times my birthday will have meaning beyond just being a piece of trivia to remind me of how long I’ve been frozen in time. So yes, I think I do.”

“Good.” Nicky said with a small smile. He got up from the table.

Nicky disappeared into the bedroom and for a moment Nile dreaded him popping back out with everyone to surprise her. But no, that wasn’t Nicky's style.

Instead, he returned a minute later carrying a small rectangular package.

“Happy birthday Nile.” Nicky said simply as he placed it in front of her, and took his seat once more.

“Nicky-” Nile started, but her words seemed to evaporate in her throat.

“Open it.” Nicky said, his smile was the biggest she’d seen it in months.

She took the lid off the box and found the unmistakable shape of a white jewelry box.

“When my sword, my first sword, the one I brought with me to the holy land from Genova, began to deteriorate beyond repair it was Joe who suggested I melt the steel down to keep. A memory from my previous life.”

Nile took it out and opened it slowly, in it was a delicate silver charm bracelet. On it was a single, rough looking charm.

“Joe wears a piece of it on a chain around his neck.” Nicky continued.

Nile knew exactly the charm he was talking about. A simple rectangle of metal that hung low from Joe’s neck.

“Booker has a vein of the steel in a ring that he hardly wears, Andy has an earring, though I haven't seen her wear it in decades,” Nicky paused, “Quynh had a piece too, on an anklet. Though I suppose it’s rusted away to nothing by now.”

Nile stared down at the bracelet, unsure what to do next. Nicky took a deep breath, She could hear the slight quiver in his breathing that he tried to suppress.

“I have more though, I’ll replace Quynh’s when we find her.” Nick said. He extended his hands out toward the box, “May I?”

Nile nodded and pushed the box toward him. He removed the bracelet and held it up for her, fastening around her wrist when she offered it.

“Don’t feel obligated to wear it every day, or even often. Joe tries not to wear his on missions if he can help it.”

Nile took a closer look at the charm, it was a square, rough and unpolished, much like Joe’s. She had never gotten a close look at Joe’s pendant so she didn’t know what if anything was etched into the metal. But as Nile turned the square of rough steel over in her hand she noticed a tiny but intricate cross indented into one of the corners.

“I don’t-” Nile started, she laughed and then a small sob escaped her throat, “Thank you.”

“You are very welcome.” Nicky said, his smile was back to the small one she was used to.

“Well now I have to get you something.” Nile laughed out another sob, followed by another, and then she was full on crying.

Nicky moved around the table to stand in front of Nile and pulled her into an awkward hug while she still sat. Her head fell into his chest and she threw her arms around his waist.

“Hey. Hey- shhhhh.” Nicky said. He placed a hand on the back of her head, the other arm wrapped around her shoulders and held her tight to him as she let the sobs rock her body for a minute.

“I’ll have other birthday’s Nile, as will you. Don’t pay it any mind. I don’t need anything. Though I imagine that’s not why you’re actually upset.”

Nile nodded against Nicky’s chest, vaguely aware that a wet spot was forming where her tears had soaked into Nicky’s shirt. He held her there for what seemed like hours, but in reality was probably less than a quarter of an hour. Until her sobs had subsided into the occasional uneven breath.

“You haven’t missed Joe’s birthday yet.” Nicky finally said.

Nile laughed, pulled back from the hug, and wiped tears away from her cheeks.

Nicky took a step back, and placed his hands on his hips. He looked very fatherly in that moment, which made Nile’s heart ache, but it also warmed it ever so slightly.

“What about Andy?”

“I don’t know hers,” Nicky said, “But I don’t think she ever knew her birthday. She’s older than the idea of a calendar, or at least in the way we experience years and months.”

Nicky stood in front of her for a minute longer before grabbing both of their mugs and taking them to the bathroom, where the only sink in the cottage was located.

Nile took another closer look at the charm. She suspected that the cross that was pressed into the metal had more significant meaning than just their shared faith in a higher power. She would have to ask him about it later when she was feeling less emotional.

Nicky returned but he didn’t hover, instead choosing to grab his book and move to an armchair by the front door.

When Joe got up at last he gave her a wink and pointed at the bracelet.

“It looks good.” he said, and then went to kiss Nicky good morning.

Andy and Booker followed shortly thereafter, and the day passed mostly like any other.

That night she lay in the same bed she had started her day in, her heart much lighter. While it hadn’t been like any other birthday she had celebrated, it had been nice.

She got the distinct feeling that they were all aware it was her birthday. Even though no one else directly acknowledged it.

Booker had gone for a run with her and sparred with her before lunch. Which wasn’t necessarily abnormal, but she did get more than one hit on him that she was pretty sure he let her land.

Andy was a tougher one to crack, but given that she had chosen this house for Nicky’s birthday and now hers, Nile felt like it wasn’t a coincidence.

Nicky, with a little help from Joe, made a surprisingly good deep dish pizza using the fireplace for dinner. Another thoughtful gesture that was not lost on her.

Nile looked up at the now familiar ceiling. And turned the charm around her wrist in her fingers.

She felt different. This wasn’t the first time she’d had to grapple with the consequence of her newly acquired immortality in the seven months she’d had it. But it was the first time she’d felt generally ok with it.

Up until now Nile had felt mostly like she had only lost things since she died for the first time. She had lost the world as she knew it, her life as she knew it. She had lost her family, and a home to call her own.

But for the first time she felt aware of how much she was gaining. The feeling of safety that only came with home. She genuinely felt excited to make her mark on countless safe houses all over the world.

Family. Each of the other members of the Guard had already felt like a new family to her, but something about the simple understanding of today had made her feel loved in a way she had never experienced before. Each of their reactions to her birthday seemed to fit them all perfectly.

Things were different now, but she liked the small place she was carving out in their family.

Twenty-six years on this earth. She looked forward to what Twenty-seven would have in store for her.

((Available on AO3 as well, link on my tumblr 💜))

#request #ask #my stuff #my fics #Nile #Nile Freeman #Nicky #Nicolo di genova #Nicky & Nile #the old guard #the old guard fic #poe39

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taiyang-too-long · 4 years ago

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Sun Wukong for the character ask?

Favorite thing about them: I’m a sucker for dumbasses with hearts of gold and that’s exactly what this boy is. I’d watch a show just about Sun.

Least favorite thing about them: I hate that CRWBY changed his eye color and stole his abs

Favorite line: “weren’t you like in a cult or something?” Classic. Makes me chuckle still

brOTP: Dude him and Neptune are precious

OTP: Yang. I think that couple dynamic would be amazing. Both walking around in sleeveless shirts that say “suns out guns out”

nOTP: Kali. That’s a hard no for me.

Random headcanon: he calls his tail noodle Ned

Unpopular opinion: Him following Blake to menagerie isn’t the crucifiable sin some people make it out to be. He was looking out for his friend after a huge national disaster she was very close too

Song I associate with them: “this is how we do it” by Montell Jordan

Favorite picture of them:

JUNIOR DETECTIVES!

It’s morphin’ time!

#these are fun #I like doing these #I just hate having to retype the categories #rwby #sun wukong #taiyang-too-long

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elricses · 5 years ago

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riza and roy!! also anon is currently off jsyn

-favorite thing about them

RIZA - her honesty. while she was capable of lying when her job called for it, honesty was something important to her. she always gave her opinion and never made it unclear what her intentions were.

ROY - he literally throws his reputation on the tracks so he can pull off stunts to save lives (he literally let everyone think he killed a member of the military so that she could escape with her life). hes a shithead but hes a shithead that cares.

-least favorite thing about them

RIZA - while she is honest, she bites her tongue often. i want to see her get unhinged more god dammit

ROY- he can be extremely two faced at times - and that did have its purpose but sometimes it was just self serving.

-favorite line

RIZA - Is it alright for me to believe in a future that everyone can live in happiness?

ROY - When I, who is called a "weapon" or a "monster", fight a real monster, I can fully realize that I am just a "human"

-brOTP

mustang gang. i need more antics with them PLEASE

-OTP

... royai 🤘😔

-nOTP

any of the gross/morally questionable ships i see popping up everywhere. can you guys not ship underage characters with adults please? that’s gross!

-random headcanon

RIZA: she took her earrings out soon after joining the military because no one took her seriously with jewelry in. honestly a lot of her serious nature comes from people refusing to put faith in her or her intelligence or people undermining just how much she’s struggled.

ROY: he can’t stand the smell of pork cooking. he doesnt even have anything against the taste he just cant stand it. smells too much like burning flesh which unfortunately hes got a lot of experience with

-unpopular headcanon

gonna do star sign headcanons

RIZA - Capricorn sun, virgo moon, libra rising

ROY - Taurus sun, saggitarius moon, gemini rising

-song i associate with them

RIZA - Earthbound by The Accidental

ROY - Lotus Eater by Foster the People

-favorite picture of them

float gun

bastard

#asks #roy mustang #riza hawkeye #royai

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ccsthemovie2 · 4 years ago

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Character: Nakuru/Ruby Moon?

LONG POST AHEAD!!! clear card referenced/a page of the early cc manga shown but again i tried to keep it spoiler-light!

Why I like them:

sometimes ur 13 and see a cute girl in a manga and go AHHH HEART EEEEYES and thats just that. also i rly just love characters who are kinda annoying on purpose, and noticing that it seems she was left out of the loop of the end goal the whole time (thinking itd be good for eriol if yue died, and questioning why he bothers creating life or death situations if he’s not ever going thru w them...) combined with that I AM HERE!! I AM HERE!!!! energy sort of gives it depth, you know? and on her and spinel’s parts, knowing you were created to replace the person before you must be roughhhh!!!

Why I don’t:

this isnt her fault at all but i wish the manga left it at, if NEED be, *one* comment from spinel abt her ~girl clothes~, we rly dont need more than one (if we even needed that, but i feel like saying ‘ok take it again’ in terms of introducing a trans character has the potential to go worse not better). also i think clear card has no idea what to do with her, or i guess exposed that the story didn’t always know quite what to do with her. she was always evil and silly but the silly was built ON the evil like a foundation? so now that its gone she sort of flounders i think. i wish we got to have more of a rounded view of her. but its ok i can do it myself in my brain. she’s a very “potential not utilized” character sometimes. also she’s like super down with murder so i guess that’s not great lmao. i hope in clear card sometime shes like why dont we just kill kaito? with a gun? and everyones like WHAT and shes like what.....it’d solve our problem....

Favorite episode (scene if movie):

tbh nothing jumps out for me hugely but the scene in the hallway outside touya saving yuekito’s life.... she’s like “ugh, it’ll be trouble for eriol” and spinel is like “oh? i dont think so” like. poor ruby is left out of so much :(( n then gets all smug to sakura and friends later like of COURSE he couldn’t tell you his plans, DUH, it wouldnt have WORKED if he told. are you trying to convince yourself too? :’(( OH OHHH WAIT I ALREADY TYPED THAT BUT. this page, early in clear card. like the QUESTIONS it raises

-what’s the relationship between sakura and ruby like?

-does ruby feel sympathy towards someone else left out of the loop in their own life?

-clow and eriol have always been heavy-handed with controlling their sun+moon people, eriol even takes it upon himself to be in charge of transforming spinel and ruby in and out of power saving mode - why is it mizuki doing this instead of eriol just putting her to sleep? what is the relationship between her and ruby?

-what does ruby want to DO when she gets there? did she have a plan on her own?

Favorite season/movie:

sakura card arc

Favorite line:

the one that comes to mind right now is when she tells yukito like IF YOU DONT WANT HIM... IM TAKING HIM ;P bc he is hearing “if you dont ask out your crush i will” but she is saying “HEY ARE YOU GONNA EAT THAT?”

Favorite outfit:

i am kinda touched by eriol making her a yukata..... handmade clothes are important to ccs and cute clothes are important to ruby!

OTP:

hmmm i dont think i have anyone tbh? open to ideas

Brotp:

hear me out but i think with her interest in movie direction she should chat more with tomoyo. also spinel of course!! i think her and spinel are being played against each other for drama (in a similar way to kero and yue), that their dynamic of Smart One and Silly One have been sort of externally given to them, but once they catch on to that they can overcome it and grow close. this is where i also put my complicated web of headcanon that while kero and yue never thought of themselves as related to clow (and vice versa), ruby in particular thinks of eriol as her father (and spinel as her brother). this is not something eriol intended, he’d much much rather be seen as a Mentor than a Relative (its about having a little distance even in your enmeshment, yknow!) but ruby sort of went for it and he was like...okay thats kind of nice i guess? it’s good to stop at each plate at the buffet of types of connection!

Head Canon:

emancipates herself from her magic connection with eriol eventually, possibly with mizuki’s help, and lives by drawing on the power of others around her as needed. goes to college somewhere far away and comes back with a degree in filmmaking. also shes really popular on tiktok or whatever equivalent app.

Unpopular opinion:

ok so in clear card WHY DOES SHE JUST NOT SLURP UP SAKURAS ///EXCESS/// MAGIC HERSELF .... like id say yue could do it but ppl could argue back oh it’d still be in sakura’s account just in a different pocket. okay so ruby’s on a whole different magic bank account and she is FIRST INTRODUCED as person who chomps down on magic ppl all the time. just be sakura’s vacuum cleaner so she stays at her post-90s-manga perfect power level it’s not that hard. give her daily high fives or whatever.

A wish:

MY (45m and/or ???m, its complicated) MAGICAL BEINGS HAVE UNIONIZED????? jokes aside i want to see her awkwardly apologize to yukito and touya for trying to kill them. sorry, sorry, it wont ever happen again. unless eriol asks me to kill you, in which case all bets are off. why are you frowning im just being honest.

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen:

i have a deep fear that what if ruby/yue happens at the end of clear card and no no no no no

5 words to best describe them:

nobodys that annoying without reason

My nickname for them:

ruby even when shes nakuru bc. its shorter to type hgfchfjh

#ask

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goldenamaranthe-blog · 1 year ago

Text

Sun: (Holding a stretchy sticky hand) Playing a game of Whack-Fuck here.

Camera cuts to Yang sleeping on the patio sofa in a tank top and shorts.

Sun: Whack! (whips stretchy hand against Yang's tits)

Yang: (gets shot square in the nip) FUCK!!!

#yang xiao long #sun wukong #whack fuck #rwby shit post #rwby crack post #rwby incorrect quote #sun's out guns out brotp

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quirkless-and-embarrassed · 5 years ago

Note

Regarding the character ask meme: I'd love to see your take on Tamaki!

HE IS ONE OF MY FAVES. As you can probably tell by my icon. I’m sorry this took me so long, but I couldn’t resist beginning the new season as I was working on this, aaand geeking out over the anime took up more time than I thought 😂

Answers under the cut because I could not resist including lots of images and because whoa this really got away from me. Spoilers for season 4 of the anime!

Favorite things about him:

tl;dr adorable+disaster+badass = instant KO

i. He’s never believed that the quirk makes the hero. Granted, it’s from his own insecurity that he believes that, but even when Mirio’s quirk was a liability, Amajiki looked up to him as a great hero. It’s especially refreshing to see because everyone else places so much emphasis on what their quirk can do.

ii. Also, his insecurity. Amajiki describes himself as a plain, boring person so terrified of failure that his brain goes blank when he even considers it. He’s not blush-y or stutter-y or those other tics associated with cutely shy characters—his face is kinda awkwardly inexpressive…he actually looks constipated when he attempts to address class 1-a during his debut…and I get a sense of stillness from him, like someone who freezes up instead of fidgeting. But he’s not fishing for encouragement. He’s likely to bluntly, unhappily shoot down any attempt to praise him because that makes the pressure even worse! No “thank you for believing in me, I’ll do my best,” no, “oh you’re too kind, that’s not true,” he’s like: “no, just…no. shit. what now? I’m not Mirio.”

iii. His relationship with Mirio. What he admires most about Mirio is how, when he goes down, Mirio always rises back up—like the sun—filled with warmth instead of with self-recrimination. He draws people in and fills them with energy. Amajiki painfully believes he isn’t capable of any of that, but he trusts Mirio, and Mirio tells him that there’s plenty of warmth to him even if Amajiki can’t sense it in himself, and even if Amajiki is filled by fear at the idea of failure, he, too, energizes Mirio when he faces his problems anyways. They talk, build each other up, and accept each others’ feelings. Amajiki still wants to be like Mirio (cue “imitation is the sincerest form of…”), but he’s learning that even though he’ll never be Mirio, he and Mirio are alike in the ways that matter most.

iv. it’s as gay as the day is long.

v. How steadfast he is. Given his anxiety, it’s not immediately obvious, but Amajiki’s doubts and insecurities center on his capabilities and self-worth—not on his principles or about what needs to be done. When he’s worried about something, he doesn’t even try to hide it, there’s something very forthright and grounded about the way he struggles to confront the current obstacle.

vi. He’s such a goofball when he’s alone with Mirio. Here he is pretending to sever his thumb. Look at that smile. And Mirio’s habit of pumping his arms when he’s excited is nearly as cute.

vii. His hero name is awesome. Suneater. Talk about names that represent your ideal self…

viii. Amajiki doesn’t win his battle against Overhaul’s thugs by discovering his confidence and whipping out a super move (which, incidentally, he attempts via flashback+miritama feels and it fails resoundingly). He wins with the power of friendship, but it’s not the typical Power of Friendship spiel.

He fights three side-characters whose names I never remember, so I call them the garbage trio: theft quirk guy (similar to how Amajiki “steals” the forms of what he eats), a guy who manifests crystals, and gluttony guy. Funnily enough, the three have terrible self-esteem issues! They’re fanatically loyal to Overhaul because he’s willing to use them as sacrificial pawns, and being a pawn is better than being rejected as garbage (which each has as his tragic past).

So the narrative presents Amajiki with two types of bonds. Will he identify with the trio’s loyalty to Overhaul, founded on their sense of worthlessness? Or will he identify with their loyalty to one another, founded on their empathy for each others’ tragic pasts? Essentially: what kind of relationship does he have with Mirio?

It’s not even a contest. Amajiki immediately and fully rejects the Overhaul-brand loyalty as brainwashing and focuses on the bond he understands, the “friends don’t eat friends” bond.

So Amajiki recognizes his opponents’ humanity when even they couldn’t. Even though they thought of themselves as nothing more than Overhaul’s tools, Amajiki intuited that the bonkers guy who shouts “eat! eat! eat!” wouldn’t bite his crystal friend when Amajiki used him as a shield. In doing this, Amajiki proved that their lives have more value to each other more than they ever will to Overhaul. He explicitly praises them for trusting each other—something they can take pride in because they forged it themselves—and ultimately removes their masks, symbolically freeing them from Overhaul’s ownership.

It was a cool idea because usually I see the protagonist summon up reserves of power he didn’t know he had in order to protect his comrades, but when Amajiki was inspired by remembering how Mirio believes in him, it doesn’t actually work because the garbage trio calls on their own bond to counter his power-up. Or usually it’s the antagonist who turns the protagonists’ love for each other against them, and here it was reversed. Except Amajiki used their friendship against them not out of contempt for their bond, “oh your love makes you so weak and predictable,” but out of respect for it, “love is what makes you strong, and I know that because it makes me strong, too.”

ix. His weird, pointy ears.

x. His dub voice acting: it’s stellar. Props to Aaron Dismuke, highly recommend watching his episodes in the dub.

Least favorite things about him:

His first name, Tamaki. It just never sticks in my mind—Amajiki is much more distinctive. (Apparently I have some sort of big three mental block, because I can rarely remember Mirio’s and Nejire’s last names, either.)

He didn’t really grow or learn anything from his fight against the garbage trio. He was already confident in his bond with Mirio, and the whole reason he volunteered to fight the trio was that he thought he could win, so it was basically a high-stakes training exercise in sticking to his guns. I think the purpose of the fight was to teach the audience that he and Mirio are a positive foil for bakudeku, providing another way Mirio is superior to Midoriya + amping Mirio up before his tragedy-slash-victory, so it’s a shame Amajiki’s most major scene wasn’t about himself.

I wish he had more screen time, I wish he had more development, I wish we got his reaction to Mirio losing his quirk, I wish had scenes with more characters than just Mirio, Kirishima, and Fat Gum, etc. The usual gripes about faves who are side characters.

Favorite lines:

Ch132 – I love how forthright he is lol. No attempt to put up a strong front.

Ch132 – When the thug Amajiki’s fighting shouts at him, his feelings are hurt 😂 also bonus for kiri trying to comfort him

Ch135 – cool as a cucumber

And two I won’t include the panels for…

His badass line in 141, “I might not understand your rage. Your grief. Everything that led you here…but I know all about solid bonds! And my friends don’t use each other! Because friends don’t eat friends.”

and when he collapses after beating the garbage trio:*THUD* Huh…why’s the floor so close to my face?doofus

BROTPs:

Kirishima!! His pep talks to Amajiki while they were on patrol were really cute. I can only imagine how he handles Kirishima and Tetsutetsu! He’s totally the third wheel, and normally he’s happy to be! But sometimes he watches the two hype each other up and gets depressed about it because he’s never that positive and encouraging. Sometimes Fat Gum leaves Amajiki in charge and it seriously stresses him out because Tetsutetsu occasionally charges off to do his own thing and it’s a whole ordeal to rein him in.

And oh shit, Nejire’s personality is just as cute as Amajiki’s, I’d love to see more of the two of them hanging out. (and just…more of Nejire in general, please. Her debut was so funny and then Horikoshi did nothing with her.)

In class-a, I’m curious to see how Amajiki and Yaoyorozu would get along. They’re both gifted students with confidence issues and quirks that depend on eating, so it would be nice to see them hit it off. I’d also be interested to see Amajiki and Bakugo interact, especially with Kirishima there.

Also, since Amajiki has such a preoccupation with exuberant, confident people, I’d love to see him somehow meet Inasa.

This isn’t a brotp, but I’ll bet Nighteye intimidated the shit out of Amajiki… Mirio told Amajiki endless anecdotes about Nighteye but it didn’t work, till the day he dies Amajiki will still get clammy any time he thinks of Nighteye’s glare or the purported tickle machine.

Again not a brotp, but I’d love to see Amajiki vs. Shigaraki. That sounds like an awesome fight. (…ideally before Shigaraki gets all OP and only Midoriya can beat him.)

OTP:

Mirio.

NOTP:

Nobody comes to mind.

Random headcanons:

Most of the food Amajiki eats goes into his quirk; he doesn’t properly extract its caloric and nutritional value, and if he’s not careful, he could accidentally become malnourished. (It also makes it difficult to put on muscle.) So he eats a ton, to make sure he has enough to fuel both his quirk and his body, and he’s self-conscious at how much more he eats than other people.

When Amajiki vomits, his quirk is weakened to the point it’s basically null. He has to take a break and chow down before he can use it again. …Re-ingesting the puke is…not an option.

Clothing is a big issue for his hero work. He could develop a really powerful fighting style, one that involves producing limbs from his back and torso, if he were willing to wear a little less…but that’s never going to happen. Mirio can run around naked, but Amajiki can’t!

I don’t know if this is a translation quirk or fanon or what, but I adore it when Nejire calls Amajiki “chicken-hearted” in fanfiction. It’s a short, cute joke about his quirk and I wholeheartedly hc it. I also think Amajiki is closer to Nejire than Mirio is.

Amajiki doesn’t deal with his self-esteem issues by minimizing his challenges. He doesn’t make cheap compromises like, “ok, I know I can do this because it’s so easy even someone like me can do it.” He goes for broke, for being the spectacular hero Suneater, because even if he can’t perceive his own positive qualities, he believes that they’re there.

One of the (many) reasons Amajiki admires Mirio is that Mirio admires him, and Amajiki wants to be able to like himself, too.

When it comes down to it, his self-worth is nowhere near as desperately poor as the garbage trio because he knows true friendship. Maybe if he’d never met Mirio, Amajiki would have been susceptible to their sort of devotion, but now he never will be because Mirio’s encouraged him to value himself. Amajiki won’t accept a bond that relies on degrading yourself—which is important to know, since Amajiki constantly compares himself to Mirio. But Amajiki’s sense of inferiority is chronic without being proportionately deep. He adopted the name Suneater to declare himself Mirio’s equal, and his climactic line of the garbage trio battle, “friends don’t eat friends,” is one that asserts equality and puts his quirky spin on it to show he’s made the principle his own. Amajiki may not like himself but he doesn’t let it get in the way of taking his place as Mirio’s peer.

Amajiki’s parents are also anxious people.

Mirio is his neighbor at the UA dorms. It’s perfect because Mirio can permeate their the shared wall and they can hang out after curfew. (Mirio keeps a pair of sweatpants in Amajiki’s room for those occasions lol.) Nejire is jealous and always talks about gate-crashing, but she never gets around to it. Even after Mirio loses his quirk, his sweatpants stay in Amajiki’s room because neither of them can quite bring themselves to give those times up.

I am a sucker for making characters’ quirks reflect something fundamental about their hearts, so here’s my take on manifest. Amajiki manifests what he eats, meaning he absorbs from his environment and re-creates it in his own style. It’s not imitation, since Amajiki with one cow hoof and one tentacle, kicking ass, resembles neither a cow or an octopus, but he takes the best from what’s around him and reinvents it. “Suneater”? Thanks to how his friendship with Mirio gave him a stable, nourishing environment, he’s absorbed his favorite of Mirio’s traits and manifests them in his own way, as his own strength, because as even name of his quirk implies—manifestation makes latent qualities visible.

Like Bakugo, Amajiki could have resented Mirio for his strengths; like the garbage trio, he could have let his failures convince him that he’s worthless; but Amajiki consistently makes the best of the cards he’s dealt, even though it involves plenty of doubt and self-flagellation that could lead him down a darker path…but don’t. He’s greater than his demons.

Unpopular opinion:

Amajiki’s shy, but…not that shy. He gets like stiffly shy.

Amajiki still has a ways to go before he’s ready to date Mirio. (Not sure what’s the popular opinion on this.)

I really wish class 1-a versus Mirio had been class 1-a versus Mirio and Amajiki. It would have been so cool to see what amazing teamwork they had and how their quirks were compatible.

Song I associate with him:

Titanium—absolutely. I like the versions by Sia, Boyce Avenue, and Kurt Schneider (I couldn’t choose). Circles by Veela reminds me of his spiraling anxiety. And, I can’t resist, so I’m adding Chasing the Sun by The Wanted on here.

Aaand my ship songs…Appreciated by Rixton, and All of Me by John Legend.

Favorite picture of him:

Ch141 – Ironclad certainty. I’m not even gonna apologize for the dimensions and the fact this is huge, just drink it in.

Ch132 – If this isn’t the cutest thing you’ve ever seen, I will never trust your judgment.

Ch152 – Unless it’s because this is the cutest.

Ch152 – When Mirio loses his quirk 💔

I’ve also answered these questions for Todoroki, Bakugo, Uraraka, Endeavor, Sir Nighteye, and Shinsou!

#amajiki #amajiki tamaki #miritama #bnha #shie hassaikai #bnha s4 spoilers #thanks for the ask!! this was a lot of fun even if it meant crying over the anime way too late at night #amamirio #nerd mumbling #text #ask meme #long post #asks #I had big feels okay?

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typingtess · 5 years ago

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NCIS: Los Angeles Season Ten Rewatch: "Pro Se"

The basics: NCIS works to free Tiffany Williams after she was wrongly arrested while Anna talks to Callen about her future.

Written by: Jordana Lewis Jaffe wrote or co-wrote wrote or co-wrote “Honor”, “Patriot Acts”, “Dead Body Politic”, “Paper Soldiers”, “Unwritten Rule”, “Big Brother”, “Iron Curtain Rising”, “Exposure”, “Savior Faire”, “Beacon”, “Defectors”, “Exchange Rate”, “Black Market”, “Payback”, “Battle Scars”, "Montebank", "Vendetta" and "Where Everybody Knows Your Name".

Directed by: Benny Boom who directed "Ghost Gun", "767" and "Fool Me Twice".

Guest stars of note: Bar Paly returns from "Venganza" as ATF Agent Anastasia “Anna” Kolcheck, Karina Logue is back from "Can I Get a Witness" as LAPD Detective Ellen Whiting. Paulina Olsynski is back from "Internal Affairs" as Tiffany Williams. Chuck Ashworth returns from "Queen Pin" as LAPD Officer. Dendrie Taylor as Elizabeth Williams, Monique Gabriela Curnen as ADA Sofia Lopez, Alex Ross as Joel Simoni, Kathleen Gati as Judge Jessica Lee, Dar Dixon as Phillip Robbins, and Katie Malia as Cassidy.

Our heroes: Get things done for Tiffany Williams, not so much Anna.

What important things did we learn about:

Callen: Logan O'Neill, member of the California bar. Sam: Suspicious of nearly everyone today. Kensi: Not so pro-Mosley. Deeks: A good man, a very good one. Eric: Finder of "super sketch" money schemes. Nell: Jedi-level backstopper being groomed by Hetty. Hetty: Would have approved of today's legal-adjacent behavior.

What not so important things did we learn about:

Callen: Fake lawyer. Sam: Pro-legal adjacent means to save Tiffany. Kensi: Prison Guard McCartney Deeks: Long distance real lawyer with a baseball bat. Eric: Survivor fan. Nell: Big bangs, big brain. Hetty: Absent.

Who's down with OTP: Kensi is a great source of comfort for Deeks when he's despairing about Tiffany's situation. She also provides support at the end when he has mixed feelings about the case. Deeks mentions enjoying being a lawyer and not being shot at as part of his regular day but Kensi reminds him while he was a lawyer, he was also shot at that day.

Things are going poorly on the Callen and Anna front, what with her unhappy in the beginning of the episode with his testimony and even less thrilled in handcuffs at the end.

Who's down with BrOTP: A little partner shuffle here as the rare pairing of Callen and Deeks works the legal aspect of Tiffany's crime as Sam and Kensi work the crime.

Any pressing need for Harm and Mac: Mac did some time as a civilian lawyer so that could have been helpful for Tiffany.

Who is running the team this week? The kids are running the candy store.

Mosley watch: Still in the opening credits, at the collaboration table and Nia Long is in the cast credits. Not in the episode physically but earns a mention or two.

Fashion review: For the third time in four episodes, Callen is wearing the long sleeve, dark blue button down dress shirt. As lawyer Logan O'Neill, he is in a grey suit, white dress shirt and medium blue tie (a good look for Callen). Black henley for Sam. Sun's out, guns out for Kensi once again, this time in a white v-neck sleeveless tee with blue stripes. Deeks has on a dark red v-neck tee. Medium blue-tee under a print short sleeve button down for Eric. Black dress with a floral print and a black blazer for Nell. On a really vapid note, Anna's hair is spectacular at the coffee shop.

Music: "Good Trouble" by Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar is playing in the teaser. "Captivate" is playing during Deeks's conversations at the end with Tiffany and Kensi.

Any notable cut scene: No.

Quote: Deeks: "You know, you do this job long enough, you forget there's a reason NCIS has a psychologist on staff." Kensi: "Sweetie, whatever happens, this is absolutely not your fault." Deeks: "Don't do that. We both know this is on me." Kensi: "Deeks, it is not No, come on." Deeks: "I was so focused on the case, I lost sight of the position I was putting Tiffany into. I mean, I never should've asked her to help us. And you know that. The truth is Sam's right. We have no idea where she was for that hour she was missing. I mean, think about it. She left the boatshed at 8:00. It should've taken her, what, 20 minutes to get to the bar? That's being generous with it. She shows up an hour after that." Kensi: "Stop. Do not do this to yourself." Deeks: "I think I should just stop believing in fairy tales." Deeks sighs. "And that breaks my heart a little bit."

Anything else: Elizabeth Williams is sitting at home with a cold dinner waiting for her daughter Tiffany. Tiffany arrives in a party dress past her 10PM court mandated curfew. Elizabeth is worried but Tiffany assures her that she's been good. She promises it is not like it was before. She's not doing drugs – she was never into the drug scene. Tiffany tells her mother she loves her and they hug.

The door is kicked in. LAPD violently arrests Tiffany – she's thrown to the ground. As Tiffany is read her rights, Elizabeth has to be held back. She's terrified by what is happening to her daughter. Tiffany is crying.

Callen meets with Anna at a coffee shop. He called her. Anna suggests they spilt a croissant before telling Callen she missed him. She asks about his health and Callen wonders what Anna is doing. She tells him it is make believe, they are in a magical restaurant where the real world doesn’t exist.

Callen goes to leave. Anna really doesn't care – she is there for the croissant. Callen asks if she's upset about his testimony in the ATF hearing. "No, it's because you forgot Valentine's Day." Anna isn't happy she was suspended but the ATF, especially since she believes Callen thinks she did the right thing. She is waiting to be arraigned but Callen does not believe it will go that far.

Anna asks a simple question – if the tables were turned, if Sokolov kidnapped and threatened Callen's father and Callen had the chance "to end him", would Callen have taken the shot? Callen is sorry Anna is going through all this. Things devolve quickly. Callen stands and tries to leaves. Anna apologizes – she's frustrated and scared.

Tiffany is brought in for her arraignment hearing. ADA Sophia Lopez is representing the state. Tiffany's lawyer is Joel Simoni. The Judge was hoping they'd be doing pre-trail motions today but Tiffany's arrest set everything back.

Lopez claims LAPD has Tiffany on a recent solicitation charge – something that shocks Tiffany. Simoni explains that the state has other evidence supporting Tiffany but that doesn't matter. Since she's was out on bail, it is being revoked. After Judge Lee corrects ADA Lopez's grammar, she puts Tiffany back in lock-up for at least three weeks.

Tiffany is freaking out, her mother is weeping but her lawyer seems rather calm to the point of being indifferent. In the court gallery sits Kensi and Deeks. As they leave the court building, Kensi wants to contact Callen and Sam. Deeks wants to do something for Tiffany and makes a bee-line to her lawyer.

Deeks takes apart Simoni for not having the basic facts of the case right, for not taking care of Tiffany. Simoni doesn't know Deeks. Kensi is trying to get Deeks to walk away. As Simoni leaves, Det. Whiting arrives. Deeks's day turns so miserable he's actually bending down, with his hands on his knees. Whiting wonders why Deeks can walk away from "this chick." She wonders why Kensi is "OK with that." Kensi just walks away, encouraging Deeks to do the same.

Kensi updated both Callen, who is just arriving at the office, and Sam. Both are unhappy with Tiffany's arrest. Callen is looking for Kilbride. Up in Ops, Eric and Nell are laughing at something on her tablet. Eric tries to joke with Callen and Sam but Nell works really hard to stop him. Callen asks for Kilbride, who is in DC. Nell adds that Ochoa is with Kilbride. Sam asks about Rogers, who is out of the gym because "the accommodations aren't accommodate-y enough." Callen mentions the parting gifts from Rogers – everyone was served with a subpoena. As for Mosley, she's off the grid.

With Hetty missing too, Callen and Sam are about to run things. Callen asks if Eric and Nell remember Tiffany Williams. Nell provides a full character background. Tiffany, Callen explains, was arrested for drugs four months ago. Last night, she was picked up for prostitution. Nell asks if Callen and Sam believe Tiffany is innocent of the drug charges and Eric adds the prostitution charge as well. Callen knows she innocent, Tiffany has been working for them and during both the time she was allegedly selling drugs four months ago and last night, she was with NCIS. The problem – she can't use them as an alibi.

Callen and company do a briefing for Eric and Nell instead of the other way around. Phillip Robbins is a local businessman suspected of software theft for Iran. NCIS suspects this – they don't have enough on Robbins to prove it. Robbins like petite, blonde prostitutes – he was a frequent john when Tiffany was working as a prostitute. Deeks thinks Robbins was obsessed with her. With Tiffany's arrest, Kensi says, not only did the case fall apart but Robbins disappeared.

Sam is quiet through all this. When pushed, he wonders if it is really a bogus drug charge. Deeks pushes back but Sam makes his case. Tiffany was missing for an hour during that original drug bust. There is no cellphone records, no video of Tiffany and she won't talk about what happened. Deeks is suspicious of the officers who arrested Tiffany. Kensi wonders if Whiting shares those suspicions – she was at the courthouse today. Deeks is off to talk to Whiting.

At the Santa Monica Pier, Deeks gives a full debrief on Tiffany's undercover work for NCIS. Whiting stopped listening after "undercover". Tiffany's undercover work was her regular work and the eight ounces of coke LAPD found means the drug bust is legit. Whiting thinks Deeks believes in fairy tales. She also tears into Deeks for leading Tiffany back to the world of prostitution and drugs leaving her to fall back into the life. Deeks insists Tiffany is innocent. "You keep telling yourself that," is Whiting's reply. She can't help him.

Callen and Sam meet with Tiffany's mother, Elizabeth. They ask if they've seen any changes in Tiffany recently. Elizabeth tells them Tiffany was a homebody when she was working at the nursery. The two would watch Fixer Upper every night. Tiffany didn't talk much about her friends except for her lawyer – he was recommended by a friend. Callen and Sam realize it is probably Phillip Robbins.

Deeks is sitting on the beach when Kensi arrives. He feels guilty about putting Tiffany in danger – "I really thought she could handle this." Doing their job for so long, he understands why NCIS has a psychologist on staff. Kensi tells him none of this is his fault but he's having none of her sympathy. He also thinks Sam was right about the missing hour and it is his fault she was put in that position. Deeks tells Kensi he needs to stop believing in fairy tales, even if it breaks his heart a little bit.

As they arrive at the office, Eric meets Callen and Sam. Simoni's fees are paid by an account in the Cayman Islands – "super sketch" – and they are the only transactions in that account until today. Someone rented a car. Callen and Sam suspect that is Phillip Robbins. Tiffany could be in danger in jail. Eric jokes about breaking Tiffany out of jail. Callen and Sam don't think that's a joke.

Callen and Sam are waiting for Kensi and Deeks in the driveway with news about Phillip Robbins possibly being back in LA. Since Simoni is a hack and Deeks is less of a hack who can run circles around Simoni, he needs to take over the case. Deeks can't do it, Kensi argues, he's LAPD. Deeks agrees – he's testified in front of Judge Lee as LAPD, he's argued cases in front of her as a lawyer. Deeks is going to do the lawyering in Callen's ear. Kensi asks if that is legal. Sam says "legal adjacent." Deeks says not legal at all but Callen reminds them all that has never stopped them before.

Kensi mentions the subpoenas and Deeks wants to hear from Kilbride, who is out of town. That means they have no protection according to Kensi. Callen states Hetty would support this idea. Kensi asks if Mosley would. Callen calls Mosley loyal which earns a "maybe" from Kensi. Deeks is on his way to the boat shed to prepare for court.

Callen finds Nell in the armory cleaning her gun. He needs a favor. Nell has spent the morning coming up with a legend for faux-attorney Callen Logan O'Neill. She thought it was their only way to help Tiffany. Callen compliments her on her "Jedl-like" move. "Big bangs, big brains," Nell tells him pointing to her forehead. Handing Callen some Logan O'Neill business cards, Nell reminds Callen that he's not the only staffer Hetty has been grooming.

Eric tells Sam and Kensi the rental car possibly with Phillip Robbins was just spotted at a spin studio in Hollywood . "You and me baby, we're a team," Kensi tells Sam. Kensi is surprised that Robbins first stop would be an exercise class but Sam thinks it is very LA. Kensi agrees. At the spin studio, a very cheerful receptionist has a wait list for Janet's class and rings a bell when she thinks Sam and Kensi are back for a second lesson. Kensi explains she's just looking for her water bottle with an idea to see the studio.

Sam sees Robbins leave a private lesson with a woman. After Sam take a quick photo, Robbins makes them and tries to run with his exercise pal. Sam and Kensi yell federal agents and try to chase after Robbins and the woman without any success.

Back in Ops, Eric ID'd the woman with Robbins as Vanessa Brown, former LAPD, now working at Vivid Locke Security, a DoD contractor working on next generation ballistic missile software. Callen thinks Vivid Locke is Robbins's next target. Nell breaks down the Vivid Locke people – run by former Mossad, financed by Mi6 and staffed by former US Special Forces. Callen asks Deeks if he knows Brown – he does not. Nell confirms that Deeks was with NCIS when Brown joined LAPD. She only lasted five years. Callen and Sam think there is a story to such a short career and Deeks is on it.

Whiting is having some shaved ice when Deeks arrives. She is not happy he has a photo of Vanessa Brown. Deeks explains the man in the photo with Brown is the man NCIS thinks set-up Tiffany. He asks again about Brown. When Whiting won't answer, Deeks thinks Brown was caught stealing drugs from the evidence locker – drugs that were found on Tiffany. Deeks wants to know how close Brown was to the arresting officers – Young, Lopez and Demblowski. Whiting realizes Tiffany was set up.

In her cell, Tiffany hears a female guard call for her. The guard is Kensi. She shoves Tiffany into a custodian's closet. When Kensi explains Tiffany is getting a new lawyer, Tiffany thinks that's a bad idea. Kensi now knows Tiffany is aware of who is paying Simoni. After saying "its complicated" one more time, Kensi goes after the missing hour in Tiffany's timeline. Tiffany asks Kensi to trust her. Kensi reluctantly agrees – especially if the Callen-Deeks legal team upsets Robbins.

Callen finds Simoni and fires him. Well, he blocks Simoni from going into the courthouse as he fires the lawyer. Tiffany signed papers making Callen's Logan O'Neill her lawyer and if Simoni has a problem, O'Neill will sue Simoni for malpractice and get him disbarred. Callen hands Simoni one of Logan O'Neill's cards.

Still in the armory, Nell is meeting with Sam, Kensi and Eric. They want to get into Vivid Locke to secure the software but trying to access the building and their computer system is trying to breach Mossad, US Special Forces and Mi6 protocols. Eric says the computer set-up is the best he's even seen. Nell has the schematics for the building and it is just one giant panic room after another. Eric doesn't understand how Phillip Robbins could steal the software. Sam figures Vanessa Brown is Robbins's person inside.

Eric thinks they should warn someone at Vivid Locke but Kensi doesn't know who, if anyone, is working with Brown. She could have a whole team inside the company. Eric sees if the air conditioning or power goes out in the building, they have their own people to repair the equipment. "It is like Survivor in an office building" – a nice tip to the network though Nell thinks it would be a terrible program.

Sam sees something – a thermal exhaust port. Compromising it would be dangerous and expensive but with nobody there to say no, why not?

Judge Lee is not happy with lawyer Logan O'Neill's call for an extradited hearing. She is not familiar with O'Neill and isn't happy but since she's already missing lunch, she'll hear Callen out. Callen argues that Tiffany's life may be in danger and then sounds an awful lot like Deeks as he argues for her freedom – which Deeks is doing using comms from the roach coach. Callen does a little editing but not much. The Judge likes Callen. The ADA does not. Tiffany gets bail.

Sam reviews getting into the building to a distracted Kensi. She has to time her drop into the exhaust port perfectly or the blades will kill her. Sam has to really get Kensi's attention. Kensi admits she's worried about Tiffany and wondering why she isn't telling them everything. Sam is sure Callen and Deeks are taking care of Tiffany, their assignment is to stop Phillip Robbins from stealing the technology.

Callen meets with ADA Lopez – who isn’t impressed with O'Neill's "performance art". Callen asks if Lopez is worried that a bad prosecution would hurt her political aspirations. Lopez has a deal but Callen isn't interested. Tiffany is interested in a deal but Lopez walks away. Callen tells Tiffany she needs to trust NCIS the way NCIS is trusting her.

In the taco truck, Deeks has footage of Tiffany crying outside a night club. He calls Whiting and asks for her help.

Sam and Kensi pull up to Vivid Locke only to see then entire staff outside the building. There was an armed robbery. While LAPD is controlling what's going on outside, Sam is worried Robbins is stealing the technology inside the building.

Deeks just spoke to someone at the office. He tells Callen as Callen jumps into the taco truck that Robbins got into Vivid Locke and stole the software. Eric and Nell are trying to trace the software, Robbins and Brown.

Sam realizes that the biggest flaw in Vivid Locke's security is its people. Folks start jobs with the best of intentions but are corruptible. Eric calls Sam – Phillip Robbins is on his way to the courthouse. Sam and Kensi are on their way, Eric is calling Callen.

Whiting joins Callen, Deeks and Tiffany at the courthouse. Eric calls but with ADA Lopez approaching, Callen lets it go to voicemail. Lopez is not offering a deal which is fine – Callen doesn't want a deal, he wants to charges dropped. Whiting tells Lopez she wants nothing to do with the case. After learning Whiting is LAPD IA, Lopez promises to talk to the DA. Deeks goes all lawyer on Lopez, saying that if LAPD IA tells you to stay away from the case, the decision is easy to be a decent human being and do the right thing. Lopez does the right thing.

With Deeks and Whiting are exchanging not-pleasantries, Callen sees Robbins and Brown. Robbins in coming through the front door, Brown looks to be going to the back. Deeks grabs Tiffany Robbins and they start to run through the courthouse.

Callen confronts Phillip Robbins outside the courthouse. Robbins wants Tiffany. Callen wants the missile software. "How much do you care about the girl?" Callen asks.

Deeks and Tiffany make it out a back door but Brown is waiting for them. So is Whiting but she's more waiting for Brown and earning a "good work" from Deeks. Deeks tries to take Tiffany to safety.

Callen asks Robbins why he cares so much about Tiffany. "She's someone I trusted," he replies but then she betrayed him. Callen understands why Robbins would be upset.

As Deeks and Tiffany run through the courthouse parking lot, a SUVs opens its doors and a team of killers with big, big guns start shooting at them. Not surprisingly, Tiffany does not react well to being shot at but seems to know Deeks calms her down long enough for Sam and Kensi to arrive. Sam, Kensi and Deeks take out the shooters. Deeks turns to Tiffany and tells her it is all over.

The shooting in the back caused the courthouse to be evacuated by Callen. He has Robbins in handcuffs. While the team still doesn't have the software, they have Robbins and Brown and one of them will give up the software and their partner for a better prison deal.

Deeks sees Tiffany sitting alone on a bench just outside the court. He asks if she's OK. She is – her Mom is picking her up. Deeks would have given her ride. Deeks is sorry he asked her to help – he should not have put her in that position. Tiffany reminds him she could have turned him down. She is grateful he believed her, especially since she didn't tell him everything.

Deeks understands, especially when Robbins "had one of your friends in his teeth." Tiffany is surprised. Deeks just figured out today that Tiffany was crying because a friend was in trouble. He found her other friends and learned about Lorraine, who took care of Tiffany in hard times. Robbins hurt Lorraine, who needed a hospital but wouldn't, to hurt Tiffany. Deeks tells Tiffany she doesn't have to worry about Robbins hurting Lorraine or her ever again and that's because of the good work Tiffany did on the case.

Elizabeth arrives to take Tiffany home. Tiffany and Deeks hug their goodbyes.

Kensi arrives. Deeks is in a much better place than he was at the beach. Today reminded him what a truly exceptional lawyer he was. Kensi smiles. He also found it appealing to help people and not get shot at every day. Kensi reminds him he was shot at that day. "Touché," he replies. Kensi tells Deeks he is a good man, a very good man.

At the courthouse steps, Sam gets Callen's attention away from a departing Whiting. Anna is in custody and being brought to the courthouse.

What head canon can be formed from here: Deeks as lawyer is Deeks as a good lawyer, a very good lawyer.

Kensi's "maybe" to Mosley being loyal is interesting. Of the four survivors of the Mexican misadventure, she's the one who dragged Deeks through the desert, she's the one who drove an unconscious Deeks to the hospital and she's the one who stood with Arlo when Williams's men were there to kill them all. Sam argued in "Hit List" that Mosley had to make things right for the team. Kensi may not think Mosley will.

Episode number: Episode five (though flimed fourth) of season ten and 221 overall.

#NCIS: Los Angeles Rewatch #NCIS: Los Angeles #NCIS: LA #NCIS Los Angeles #ncis la

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